The 6th Duke of Devonshire inherited his passion for books from his mother, Duchess Georgiana. He brought together the extant family collections and then set about increasing the size and quality of the library through various purchases.
In 1815 he converted the 1st Duke’s Long Gallery into a room that would hold his ever growing collection. Within 15 years, he had commissioned prominent architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville to remodel the space again. The result is the mahogany bookcases, fireplace, and the gallery, which runs around three sides of the room, you can see today.
The ceiling, with plasterwork by Edward Goudge (active late 17th century) and paintings by Antonio Verrio (1636-1707) are the only part of the 1st Duke’s interior remaining.
Image 1: details from the ceiling. Image 2: view from one side of the gallery.
The enormous carpet, woven in three sections, is an Axminster and was designed to follow the painted roundels in the ceiling.
Today there are over 17,000 books in the Library and Ante Library covering six centuries. It includes the majority of the autograph writings of the 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), the scientific manuscripts of Henry Cavendish (1731-1810), the man who calculated how to weigh the Earth, and some of the architectural library of the 3rd Earl of Burlington.
“The books compose four libraries. One I found here, another in London, the third was Mr Henry Cavendish’s and the fourth, Dampier, Bishop of Ely’s”
- 6th Duke of Devonshire
“One of the ‘libraries’ to which the 6th Duke refers is that of Henry Cavendish, the eminent scientist and great eccentric. His manuscripts and library of scientific and other books are still at Chatsworth, each stamped with ‘H. Cavendish’ on the back of the title page.”
There are also medieval illuminated manuscripts and early printed books of the 15th and 16th century. In total the collection numbers some 40,000 volumes. Until the mid 20th century the Old Master Drawings were also stored here before they were removed to a special, environmentally controlled store.
The furniture in the Library comes from many different family houses. The four book tables, two at each end of the room, were designed by William Kent for the Library at Chiswick. The large suite of seat furniture attributed to Morel and Hughes was brought from the Saloon at Devonshire House. In 2013, it was restored and reupholstered with a reweave of the original turquoise and gold silk brocade.
In 1964, the 11th Duke and Duchess added a door to conceal the stairway up to the gallery. The door holds a series of fake book spines with comedy titles like ‘Sideways through Derbyshire’ by Crabbe or ‘Consenting Adults’ by Abel N. Willing. The titles were chosen by Deborah Devonshire and her friend Paddy Leigh-Fermor.
Discover more about how this room has evolved over time in a digital project completed in collaboration with the British and Irish Furniture Makers Online (BIFMO). Learn more
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Painted Hall
Used to welcome and impress guests, this was the largest and grandest room built by the 1st Duke.
Oak Room
This room was completely changed by the 6th Duke with the wood panelling he bought at an auction.
Chapel
This is the least changed room at Chatsworth, the 1st Duke employed the best artists to realise his designs.
Great Chamber
Labelled as ‘useless’ by the 6th Duke, this is the first room in the State Apartment.
State Drawing Room
The second room of the State Apartment, a suite of rooms intended to host a king.
State Music Room
This room celebrates the influence of the 6th Duke and contains one of our most famous artworks.
State Bedchamber
One of the most private rooms in the State Apartment, this room was more lavishly decorated than all the others and features the State Bed.
Old Master Drawings Cabinet
This room was designed to display Old Master Drawings.
North Sketch Gallery
The North Sketch Gallery, created in 2009, showcases contemporary art and ceramics.
Oak Stairs/Leicester Landing
The stairs were created when the 6th Duke added the North Wing. They connected the old part of the house to the new.
Great Dining Room
Built as part of the 6th Duke’s renovation, this room is still used for formal dinners.
Sculpture Gallery
Built by the 6th Duke, the gallery contains one of the foremost early 19th century contemporary collections of sculpture.
History of Chatsworth
Learn about the Devonshires and discover how they shaped the history of the house, garden and collection that we see today.
History of the garden
The garden evolved over nearly 500 years. Discover its history and the people who shaped it.
The Devonshire Collections
Discover highlights from the art, library and archive that make up the Devonshire Collections.
The House
Learn more about what's on in the house.
